Both the White House and State Department bluntly replied Hunter Biden was a “private citizen” when asked about his new role with Ukraine’s largest gas producer and whether that could pose a conflict given the tense situation between the U.S. and Russia.

Biden is the younger son of Vice President Joe Biden.

“Does this building diplomatically have any concerns about potential perceptions of conflict or/cronyism – which is what you’ve often accused the Russians of doing?” Associated Press reporter Matt Lee asked.